Kinixys erosa (forest hinge-back tortoise)

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Home > Turtle Database > Kinixys erosa (forest hinge-back tortoise)

Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_hinge-back_tortoise

The forest hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys erosa) is a unique species native to the dense rainforests of central and western Africa. Known for the distinctive hinged section at the rear of its shell, this tortoise can protect its hind limbs and tail by closing the hinge, a feature uncommon among tortoises.

Native To These Regions

Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Uganda

Native Turtle Species Map – Find Turtles by Region

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Testudinidae
  • Genus: Kinixys
  • Species: Kinixys erosa

Common Names

  • Forest hinge-back tortoise
  • Serrated hinge-back tortoise

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Identification

Description

The forest hinge-back tortoise is a medium-sized tortoise, with adults typically measuring between 20 to 30 centimeters in shell length. Its carapace is elongated and dark brown to black in color, featuring a serrated rear margin. The most notable characteristic is the movable hinge at the rear of the carapace, allowing the tortoise to close off the back of its shell for protection.

Sexual Dimorphism

  • Males: Generally have longer tails and a slightly concave plastron (the underside of the shell).
  • Females: Possess shorter tails with a flat plastron.

Check more turtles from the Kinixys genus

Kinixys zombensis (Eastern Hinged-Back Tortoise)

Kinixys spekii (Speke’s Hinge-back Tortoise)

Kinixys nogueyi (Western Hinge-back Tortoise)

Native Origin and Distribution

Geographical Range

The species is found in the tropical rainforests of central and western Africa, including countries such as:

  • Nigeria
  • Cameroon
  • Gabon
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo

Preferred Habitat

Forest hinge-back tortoises inhabit humid tropical forests with dense vegetation. They prefer moist environments with ample ground cover, which provide both food sources and protection from predators.

Behavior

Feeding Habits

These tortoises are omnivorous. Their diet consists of:

  • Fruits and berries
  • Leaves and grasses
  • Fungi
  • Invertebrates like worms and insects
  • Occasionally carrion

Predators

Natural predators include:

  • Large birds of prey
  • Mammals such as mongooses
  • Humans, due to hunting for meat and the pet trade

Reproduction

Breeding Season

Breeding generally occurs during the rainy season when food is abundant.

Reproductive Method

  • Oviparous: Females lay eggs.
  • Typically lay small clutches of 1–3 eggs.
  • May produce multiple clutches in a single breeding season.

Conservation

Extinction Status

  • IUCN Red List: Data Deficient

Threats

  • Habitat Destruction: Deforestation for agriculture and logging reduces their natural habitat.
  • Hunting and Trade: Collected for bushmeat and the international pet trade.

Conservation Measures

  • Legal Protection: Listed under CITES Appendix II, regulating international trade.
  • Habitat Conservation: Efforts to preserve rainforest habitats benefit the species.
  • Breeding Programs: Captive breeding in some regions to boost population numbers.

Economic Importance

  • Local Use: Consumed as a source of protein in some communities.
  • Pet Trade: Valued in the international pet market due to their unique appearance.

Interesting Facts

  • The hinge mechanism allows the tortoise to protect itself from predators by sealing off vulnerable parts.
  • It is one of the few tortoise species capable of completely enclosing its hind limbs within its shell.
  • The species plays a role in seed dispersion through its fruit-based diet, contributing to forest regeneration.

About Author

Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.